A total of 1.6 billion people worldwide – nearly a quarter of the global population – are forced to pay bribes to gain access to everyday public services, according to a new book by academics at the Universities of Birmingham and Strathclyde.

The University of Birmingham's China Institute is marking the Chinese New Year with the help of some world-class musicians.Pianist Di Xiao, cellist Jiaxin Lloyd Webber and guitarist Xiefei Yang will perform in the University's Bramall Music Building to staff, students, partners and members of the Chinese community from across the West Midlands and beyond. The musical trio will help celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Sheep with traditional Chinese music that is set to transport the audience to the land of dragons and emperors.